Government Affairs & Advocacy Updates
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Advisory Group Updates
Our Advisory Group has direct input and communication with the Board of Directors. The group informs board decisions and communicates member needs, concerns and suggestions to the board.
August 2025 Updates
| August 2025 ASSP supports evidence-based policy decisions and engages with policymakers to ensure our members’ voices are part of important deliberations. ASSP also supports efforts to grow public awareness of environmental health and safety. |
| TOP STORIES |
| EPA Announces Workforce Restructuring & Staff Reductions On July 18, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a major reduction in force (RIF) as part of its comprehensive restructuring plan. |
| Chemical Safety at Risk as White House Proposes Eliminating CSB The White House has proposed eliminating the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board by October 2026, while the House seeks steep funding cuts and the Senate supports current levels. The CSB is vital to investigating industrial disasters, sharing lessons and advancing chemical safety. ASSP continues to advocate for strong federal support of its mission. |
| OSHA Reduces Penalties for Small Businesses to Boost Safety & Compliance On July 14, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor updated OSHA’s Field Operations Manual to ease penalty and debt collection procedures for small businesses and encourage prompt hazard correction. |
| DOL Launches New & Updated Self-Audit Programs to Support Voluntary Compliance The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a suite of new and updated self-audit programs across six of its agencies. |
| OSHA Renews National Emphasis Program on Amputations in Manufacturing On June 26, 2025, OSHA renewed its National Emphasis Program (NEP) focused on reducing the risk of amputations in manufacturing. |
| OSHA Proposes Changes to Respirator Medical Evaluation Requirements On July 1, 2025 OSHA released a proposed rule to amend medical evaluation requirements under the Respiratory Protection Standard for filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) and loose-fitting PAPRs. The proposal is designed to reduce burden while maintaining safety. Comments are open through September 2, 2025. Contact us if you’d like to get involved. |
| PHMSA Rescinds Advisory Bulletin on Pipeline Safety Act On June 18, 2025, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a notice rescinding an advisory bulletin and related policy statements concerning Section 114 of the Protecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2020. This action updates regulatory guidance related to pipeline safety requirements. |
| PHMSA Suspends LNG Transport in DOT-113 Tank Cars On June 23, 2025, PHMSA amended Hazardous Materials Regulations following a court decision, suspending authorization for liquefied natural gas (LNG) transport in DOT-113 tank cars. The suspension remains until further research is completed or June 30, 2028, due to ongoing safety concerns including derailments, fire hazards and emergency response challenges. |
| FRA Proposes Repeal of Outdated Railroad Workplace Safety Rules On July 1, 2025, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a proposed rule to repeal several outdated workplace safety requirements for railroad roadway workers. The proposal also includes a new approval process allowing regulated entities to apply alternative safety approaches for bridge workers, subject to public notice and FRA approval. Comments are due by September 2, 2025. |
| FMCSA Updates Regulations on Liquid-Burning Flares The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) proposed removing outdated references to liquid-burning flares from its warning device regulations. A correction to the original proposal fixed administrative errors and took effect July 9, 2025. ASSP is monitoring this update to ensure regulatory clarity and safety. |
| ADVOCACY UPDATES |
| Take Action: Support the CSB In response to the proposed defunding of the CSB, ASSP has created talking points to help members advocate for continued support. Access them in our advocacy toolkit to speak with your lawmakers. |
| ASSP & SAIA Form Alliance to Advance Worker Safety On July 22, 2025, ASSP and the Scaffold and Access Industry Association (SAIA) signed a memorandum of understanding to advance worker safety and health nationwide. |
| ASSP Submits Comments on OSHA’s ACCSH Rule Update On July 1, 2025, OSHA issued a final rule eliminating procedural requirements for consulting with the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH) under 29 CFR 1911.10 and 1912.3. In submitted comments, ASSP encourages OSHA to continue incorporating stakeholder input and maintaining transparent, inclusive advisory practices. |